Read More

It is hoped that this will allow north-bound traffic into Middlesbrough to take an alternative route - left onto Stainton Way - instead of travelling straight ahead onto Marton Road - causing the so-called Marton Crawl.

But Jon Rathmell, independent councillor for Nunthorpe, said the works would slow the Marton crawl to a complete standstill, with no guarantee of success.

"The proposed work is going to turn the Marton crawl in to the Marton stall for what benefits?" he said.

Cllr Jon Rathmell, independent councillor for Nunthorpe

"Absolutely none, we’ve been provided with no evidence to support Middlesbrough Council’s claim that this will ease congestion.

On July 10, Middlesbrough Council's Executive approved recommendations to rejig the ‘Southern Cross junction’ at Dixons Bank and Stainton Way, as part of a wider scheme to ease traffic flow across the town.

Read More

It was a decision that proved unpopular with Nunthorpe and Marton residents who claimed public consultation had been ignored and that the scheme itself was flawed, because “it would fail to ease congestion”

Nunthorpe Parish Council’s Ken Tomlinson said the plans had been made in the face of “overwhelming local opposition”.

The Executive’s decision was opposed called-in to scrutiny by several councillors.

But Cllr Lewis Young, executive member for economic development and infrastructure, said there had been a six-month consultation with residents after he and Mayor Budd decided to extend the initial three-month consultation to ensure all views could be accounted for.

Cllr Lewis Young

Ultimately, the call-in failed to have the matter sent back to the Executive by a narrow margin of four votes to three.

Adrian Walker a resident on Dixons Bank said: "We are dreading them cutting the trees down and feel, not just for ourselves, but for the people who are going to be stuck in the resultant traffic jams.

"We, as residents most affected, would have been for the scheme from the outset if we felt it would work in diverting traffic away towards Coulby Newham to reduce the Marton Crawl."

"We have argued from the outset, that less expensive road widening at Dixons Bank and near Kings Academy, for example, would have more impact on encouraging traffic along Stainton Way and away from the Marton Crawl."

In a statement about the upcoming works, Middlesbrough Council said: "The works, which include road-widening and signalling improvements, are expected to take seven months."

It added that during that time, "every effort will be made to keep disruption to a minimum with temporary traffic management arrangements in place".

Read More

"If the works require any road closures, they will be kept to a minimum and any diversion will be signed and will avoid any residential routes wherever possible.

"A site compound will be located on the grassed area on the south side of Stainton Way, immediately to the east of the junction with The Fairway. Full access to the path and cycleway will be maintained."

Cllr Young said: “These works are a key part of our Middlesbrough-wide road infrastructure improvement plans.

“We know that around 25,000 vehicles travel on this route every single day and there can be delays on it.

“Unfortunately while the improvement works are carried out there will be some level of disruption for which we would apologise from the outset - however the works are necessary to improve the traffic flow.

“As we have said before, doing nothing is not an option and the benefits of this scheme will soon be seen by all who travel on Stainton Way.”